EDU1007 : Social Policy and Learning
EDU1007 : Social Policy and Learning
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Anja Giudici
- Lecturer: Dr Samantha Shields
- Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to provide a detailed understanding of the education system post 1945. The Education system in Britain has seen big changes in the period since the 1970s. After a post-war period in which there had been broad cross-party consensus favouring a locally administered national education system, both Conservative, Labour and Coalition governments have introduced significant reforms which have affected how schools are managed, but perhaps most importantly the curriculum. The changes have taken place in early years, primary education, secondary education, further, higher education and in lifelong learning. The module aims to emphasise how and why particular policies were formulated (in reference to the socio-historical-cultural context) and how these policies were then implemented and the impact that this has had on learners, teachers and parents. The module also considers the impact of devolution on education policies in Britain.
Outline Of Syllabus
This Stage 1 module is introductory and does not presuppose any prior knowledge of the British Education system. Stage 1 Education students will also have the opportunity to study EDU1005 ‘History of Education’, this module focuses on Education starting in ancient times and provides a historical continuum rather than any overlap in content with ‘Social Policy and Learning’. This module provides students with an understanding of educational policies in Britain and the ways in which this has shaped experiences of learning. The module provides a socio-historical-cultural lens through which to understand education policies. The module begins with providing an understanding of the political system and how policies are formed, such as green papers and white papers. The module also explores the concepts of ‘right’ and ‘left’ and what these terms may represent in terms of how social policies may be framed. The module then highlights significant periods of policy change in education from specific governments, before moving on to specific age phases within education and how policies have changed, such as in early-years, primary, secondary, further, higher education and the lifelong learning sector. The module begins with an introduction to studying social policy. The module considers: Power, Politics and the State, The New Right 1979-1997, New Labour, The Coalition Government, The Conservative government 2010 onwards, Education policy and early years provision, Higher Education Policy and lifelong learning policies, Education Policy and Teachers, and Education Policy and Parents
The module finishes with a summary and take-home exam preparation.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
• Outline and critically evaluate the principles and values associated with social policy and learning.
• Apply an analysis of social policy to different phases of the education system in Britain (early years, primary, secondary, further, higher education and lifelong learning).
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical, cultural and societal influences on the purpose and organisation of educational systems and the implications for learners.
Intended Skill Outcomes
• Be able to critically evaluate principles and values associated with social policy and learning from a range of primary and secondary sources.
• Organise and articulate opinions and arguments in speech and writing using relevant specialist vocabulary, including by means of well prepared, clear and confident presentation and coherent, concise written documents.
• Use ICT in their study and other appropriate situations.
• Use the library and other information sources skilfully and appropriately.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 111:00 | 111:00 | Including mock exam |
Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Asynchronous online: videos, podcasts, quizzes, reflective tasks |
Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 11 | 4:00 | 44:00 | Readings for seminar |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Seminar teaching |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Asynchronous online |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture series will scaffold students’ understandings of the principles and values associated with social policy and learning. Students will have the opportunity to develop a critical awareness of the historical, cultural and societal influences on the purpose and organisation of educational systems and the implications for learners through seminar discussions. The guided independent study will reinforce and extend the understanding and criticality which has been explored in lectures and seminars in relation to analysing how social policy has affected different phases of the education system.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 1440 | 2 | A | 50 | 24-hour take-home exam - expected completion time 90 minutes. |
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Portfolio | 2 | A | 50 | 2000 words, 8x responses of 250 words. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 2 | M | A mock exam with formative feedback provided. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
2000 word portfolio. Each week a journal question will be set in relation to social policy and learning. Students will be required to write a 250 word response to 8 questions.
The portfolio is an appropriate way to enable students to gain a broad overview of a wide range of social policies and how they have affected learning and learners. The portfolio is an appropriate way to engage students in the reading of specific White Papers. The take-home 24h exam is an appropriate way to enable students to draw on their understandings of different aspects of educational policy and its socio-historical-cultural context.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EDU1007's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- EDU1007's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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